The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-01-31


ace along the Hamakua district OF about
100 feet. Soon pasture gives place to cane
ields, and the rich green of the cane re-
ieves the eye. Several sugar mills are
seen from the steamers deck, the sugar in
iustry being the mainstay of Kohala as
indeed it is practically of the entire coun-
try.
The excursion1sts manifested great inter
est in the Hamakua coast line. The pre-
cipitous bluffs or pals, down whose faces
streamed silvery cascades, cut into at
snort intervals by deep but narrow ravines
clothed in luxuriant vegetation to the
waters edge, presented ever-changiDg
giimpses of color and grouping not to be
excelled, if indeed equalled, i'll any other
country. And when to this natural aspect
of beauty is added the industrial features
presented by a succession of luxuriant
cane fields and sugar mills, the picture be-
comes unique. Sugar cane IS cultivated
successfully to the very brink of these
precpices, and in several cases the sugar
produce is lowered by means of derricks
into boats, to be shipped on board schOOn-
ers moored to buoys i'll the offing. Mr..
Wilder has projected railroad through
the Hamakua district to Hilo, and is now
in London TO promote this scheme. If it
can be successfully carried Quit will be an
inestimable boon to the planters, and enable
them TO cultivate much more extensively
than at present. The economic results
would be of the greatest value to the King
dom at large.
1t is needless to specify in detail the fea-
lures of the trip to HilO. Suffice it that it
was full of interest and variety. We ar
arrived at Hilo about $50 p. m, and took
our departure again at midnight, having
received an addition to our numbers as
already mentioned, and learned particu
lars of the earthquakes and lava flow.
REFLECTION OF THE GREAT LAVA FLOW.
Early on the 26th most of our party were
on deck, the vessel during the night hav
ing come mp close to the Volcano landing
at Keauhou. The reflection from the lava
flow in the southern sky was very bril-
liant. and from its extent bore evidence of
the magnitude of the volcanic outbreak.
Subsequent inspection of the lava flow it
self demonstrated the almost absolute ac-
curacy of this sky reflection. Away on the
right was a luminous spot of large dimen-
sious, circular in shape, which seemed to
be the center of the eruption. Lines of
light radiated from it, the entire sky in
that quarter glowing with reflected lustre.
There was no flicker or smoke, therefore
no flame. 1t was pure lava glow reflected
in the cIoudIess armament above, in which
L., IL
stellations, the Great Bear and South
ern CSoss being in the same field
Of view. Gradually the morning
lawn approached The stars began to
pale and the reflection i'll the armament
grew dim. The sun rose from bank of
clouds and the volcanic reflection disap-
oeared. We were satisfied that a grand
ully satisfied also with the arrangement
which the Captain and Purser made for it's
qualification.
THE KEAUHOU LANDING.
The landing at Keauhou is exciting, to
put it mildly; so is the embarkation, only
4 trife more so. At least this was our ex-
perience. However, landing was safely
made, and as many as could get quadru-
Oeds mounted and set off over the lava
rocks toward the pail, the ascent of which
vas necessary before fairly entering on the
JOicanO road. AS this party of excursion
SITS was the largest that had ever before
anded at KeauhOu, and came almost I'M
fifteen being expected, the ar
were quite as satisfactory as
l. IL,
hree all told, including Purser Becldey, !
Who accompanied US and took charge of |
he party and two trained assistants for !
he Volcano House, which he had the fore |
bought to bring with him from the Kinau. |
would form large cavalcade |
iding single file over the rough |
ava flow which forms the littoral of that |
art of the Puma and Kau Coast, and |
would require a corps of guides to conduct |
afely and prevent struggling. But |
here was not sufficiency of saddles and !
rides, although there was no difficulty
bout horsefesh or its refractory relative
nulefesh. Consequently some of the
arty were left behind until fresh horses
Nth riding equipments could be brought
rom the Halfway House, situated al the
ummit. This gave rise to some little dis
Ontent, but the feeling of disappointment
Don passed away, and the second division
rrived at the Volcano House in good time
)r dinner, although too late for a descent
ITO the crater unless for night watch
INCIDENTS BY THE WAY
The first DIVISION got along very well and
I good form with two exceptions, and
lese were incidents liable to happen IN
ny riding party. The writer had con-
-oversy with a mule on the slope of the
ali. The bride breaking and the mule
eciding to buck and run on the down
rade, it soon settled the controversy to its
WIN satisfaction, although after a second
'ial, in which it was also the victor, it
omitted to be ridden to the home pad
ock with silent but pathetic resignation.
he second was a much more serious al
lir, although 70 'tunately no bones were
roken or permanent injury was done a
dy of the party was thrown from a mule
} the clay track through the trees at the
,p of the pail, and sustained severe
ruises which rendered her helpless for the
me being. Nevertheless she made the
'urney to the Volcano House and back
18th such courage and patience as to evoke
lie admiration and sympathy of all.